Hearty Potpourri

Use a giant pine cone as a centerpiece for a batch of hearty homemade potpourri. Instead of a traditional dainty bowl, use an antique crock to hold the mixture.

Materials:

large pine cones
sweet gumballs
birch bark
walnuts
hunks of dried foliage such as herbs
screen rack (Cover with cheesecloth if wind is a concern.)
dried-flower cleaner or pressurized air
potpourri scent from a craft store
eyedropper
liquid dye (The color red helps give a little "spark" to the project.)
aromatic essential oil
large basket, crock or old coal bucket

Steps:

1. Put dried materials on screen to help remove debris.
   
   
2. Dip the potpourri materials into liquid dye.
   
   
3. Place items into bowl.
   
   
4. Pull apart old bouquets and add petals to provide additional color for the mix.
   
   
5. Clean with dried flower cleaner or pressurized air.
   
   
6. Use an eyedropper to spread potpourri scent throughout the mixture.
   
   
7. Use colored fillers such as gumballs on the bottom.
   
   
8. Be creative in the arrangement of the items to make it look--and smell--as desired.